Don’t Throw Away Your Scrap Yarn!
If you’ve got a yarn basket full of leftover bits and no idea what to do with them, you’re in the right place. This free crochet caterpillar pattern is the cutest scrap yarn project you’ll make all year. And yes, it’s totally beginner-friendly.
This little guy checks every box: it’s a quick amigurumi crochet pattern, uses up those random scraps you can’t bear to throw out, and makes the most adorable handmade toy or gift. Whether you’re just learning how to crochet amigurumi for the first time or you’re a seasoned crocheter looking for a fast and fun weekend project, this caterpillar is calling your name.
This little caterpillar also fits perfectly inside my free cocoon pattern, which you can find right here on the blog. Open up the cocoon and out pops your caterpillar! It is honestly one of the most fun reveals, and people absolutely love it at craft markets.
Why You Will Love This Pattern
This is a no-sew pattern, which means no tedious sewing pieces together at the end. It is beginner friendly, works up quickly, and is genuinely one of the best ways I know to use up scrap yarn.
Here is why crafters keep coming back to this one:
It uses up scraps. Any leftover bits of yarn you have been holding onto finally have a purpose. The rainbow color changes make every caterpillar unique.
It is quick to make. This is the kind of project you can finish in one cozy evening, which also makes it perfect for batch making before a market.
It sells really well. Paired with the cocoon, this little set is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at craft fairs. The surprise reveal never gets old.
No sewing needed. Everything is worked in one piece so you can skip the assembly at the end.
The caterpillar tucks right inside the cocoon, which makes it the cutest little gift or amigurumi toy for kids. And there’s a built-in loop at the top so you can hang it on a Christmas tree, use it as wall decor, or clip it anywhere you want a little pop of cuteness.
Want a Clean Printable PDF?
If you would rather have a tidy, ad-free version you can save to your phone or print at home, grab the PDF from my shop! It has all the photos and instructions in one easy place.
And a little bonus: the PDF bundle includes the cozy cocoon and the caterpillar, so you get two patterns for the price of one!
Pattern Overview
The caterpillar is a fully no-sew pattern. You will start by working from the head all the way down to the body in spiral rounds. The legs are made using bobble stitches, which give them that adorable little rounded shape without any extra assembly.
The body is worked in color changes to create a cute rainbow effect, so this is also a great pattern to practice your color changing technique if you are newer to crochet.
Pair It With the Free Cocoon Pattern
This caterpillar is designed to fit snugly inside my free cocoon pattern. If you have not made the cocoon yet, I highly recommend making both together because the set is absolutely irresistible. You can find the free cocoon pattern here on the blog.
What You Will Need
You do not need much for this one, which is part of what makes it so great as a scrap yarn project! You can absolutely mix yarn brands and textures here. And here’s what I used for my caterpillar:
- Yarn: Weight #6 yarn: Premier Parfait Chunky
- Quantity: Main color (5g), Secondary color (3g). Or, if you want to create a rainbow effect, you will need about 1.5g of each color.
- Hook: 4.5mm US 7
- Safety eyes: 9 mm
Other materials and tools:
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Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms)
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
slst: slip stitch
sc: single crochet stitch
hdc: half double crochet stitch
dc: double crochet stitch
st, sts: stitch, stitches
dec: single crochet decrease
inc: single crochet increase
Rnd: round
FLO: crochet through front loops only
BLO: crochet through back loops only
Bobble-3-dc: Bobble stitch made of 3 incomplete double crochet stitches
One quick tip before you start: skim through the full pattern once before picking up your hook. It makes everything flow so much more smoothly!
Video Tutorial
If you learn better by watching,I have a full step by step video on YouTube that walks you through every part of this pattern.
Caterpillar Pattern
Begin with the head color. Work in spiral rounds.
Round 1: 6 sc in the magic ring [6]
Round 2: 6 inc [12]
Round 3: 12 sc [12]
On Round 4, we will crochet the antenna for the caterpillar. The antenna will be crocheted into the front loops only, so please put the stitch markers to the back loops of the 7th and 9th stitch, where the antennae are crocheted to, so you can crochet Round 5 easier.
Round 4: 6 sc, antenna: (chain 3, start to crochet into the second chain from the hook: 2 slst, slst into the front loop of the next stitch), continue to crochet through both loops: 1 sc, antenna: (chain 3, start to crochet into the second chain from the hook: 2 slst, slst into the front loop of the next stitch), 3 sc [12]
Round 5: 6 sc, skip the antenna, 1 sc into the back loop remaining of Round 4, 1 sc, skip the antenna, 1 sc into the back loop remaining of Round 4, 3 sc [12]
Note: Change the yarn color, then repeat Rounds 6 and 7 as many times as you need to reach your desired length, changing color every two rounds to create the rainbow effect. Remember to stuff the caterpillar as you go. Place the safety eyes on both sides of the head, with 2 sts apart from the antenna.
For example, I repeated the sequence four times in total, which brings me to the end of Round 13. From here, continue with Rounds 14 and 15 to finish the body.
Round 6: 1 bobble-3-dc, 1 sc, 1 bobble-3-dc, crochet in BLO: (1 sc, 1 inc) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [16]
Round 7: 3 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [12]
Change the yarn color.
Round 8: 1 bobble-3-dc, 1 sc, 1 bobble-3-dc, crochet in BLO:(1 sc, 1 inc) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [16]
Round 9: 3 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [12]
Change the yarn color.
Round 10: 1 bobble-3-dc, 1 sc, 1 bobble-3-dc, crochet in BLO:(1 sc, 1 inc) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [16]
Round 11: 3 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [12]
Change the yarn color.
Round 12: 1 bobble-3-dc, 1 sc, 1 bobble-3-dc, crochet in BLO:(1 sc, 1 inc) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [16]
Round 13: 3 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec) * repeat 4 times, 1 sc [12]
Stuffing the caterpillar.
Round 14: 3 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec [8]
Round 15: 4 dec [4]
Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing. Weave the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull it tight to close the hole. Make a knot to make it more secure and hide the yarn tail inside the body.
You Are Done!
Tuck your finished caterpillar into its little cocoon and get ready for the most satisfying reveal. If you are making these for a craft fair, I really do suggest making a whole basket of them. They go fast!
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn is best for this caterpillar pattern? Any yarn works great. This is a wonderful scrap yarn project so feel free to mix brands, colors, and even textures for a fun result.
Is this pattern good for beginners? Yes! If you are comfortable with single crochet and basic increases and decreases, you can make this. The video tutorial is also there to help if you get stuck on any step.
How long does the caterpillar take to make? Most crafters finish this in under an hour. It is a great project to work on during a movie night or a lazy afternoon.
Can I make the caterpillar longer? Absolutely! Just repeat Rounds 6 and 7 as many times as you like until you reach your desired length. Change color every two rounds to keep the rainbow effect going.
Can I sell finished caterpillars made from this pattern? Yes, you are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern. Please just do not redistribute or sell the pattern itself.
Do I need the cocoon pattern too? The caterpillar is cute on its own, but the cocoon really makes it special! You can find the free cocoon pattern here on the blog.
Share Your Makes!
I would love to see what you make! Tag me @greenfrog.crochet on Instagram or use #greenfrogcrochet so I can find your post and share it with the community.
Thank you so much for crocheting with me today. If you enjoyed this pattern, please pin it or share it with a friend who loves to crochet. It really helps more people find the pattern and it means the world to me! 💚
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Happy Crocheting!
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© 2026 Green Frog Crochet. All rights reserved. Please do not redistribute or sell this pattern as your own. Finished items may be sold.
